Editor's Picks from The Economist

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. With AI handling complex back-office tasks, the barriers to starting a small business in America have tumbled. Topics covered:Artificial intelligenceEntrepreneurship Small businessesListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. When quantum computing arrives, data harvested today will be exposed. Securing systems now will defend against the threat.Topics covered:Quantum computingCybersecurityPost-quantum cryptographyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. The burger’s ubiquity makes it an effective tool for comparing the purchasing power of currencies. Topics covered:Big Mac indexPurchasing powerExchange ratesListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. The growing need for air-conditioning to survive a warming world has sparked a complex debate over resources and public health.Topics covered:Air-conditioningClimate changeHeatwavesListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Many observers view prediction markets as useful tools for revealing the public's best guesses about the future. Yet if these platforms want to establish legitimacy, they must implement clearer judgement systems.Topics covered:Prediction marketsPolymarketKalshiListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Britain’s new prime minister ought to be preparing voters for difficult trade-offs. Instead, he is offering handouts and nostalgia for manufacturing.Topics covered:Andy BurnhamBritainLabour Party Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. In his first extended interview since SpaceX’s IPO, Elon Musk’s opinions on the future of AI lead us to some troubling conclusions. Topics covered:Elon MuskArtificial IntelligenceSpaceX IPOListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Nordic countries are deliberately injecting measured risk back into childhood. This approach could lure children away from their screens.Topics covered:ScandinaviaParentingChild developmentListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.